JP2019188148A - Hair styling device - Google Patents

Abstract

A hair styling instrument includes a base and a plurality of pins spaced apart from each other via a first end on a first side of the base. The base and the plurality of pins are made from a single layer resilient workpiece. A bistable mechanism in which two of the plurality of pins are connected to each other via a second end opposite to the first end to enable switching between the concavo-convex arrangement in response to an external force. And at least another two of the plurality of pins have a second branch overlapping the first branch with a second end free on the opposite side to the first end. Form. The first branch is switched in a concave arrangement with respect to the second branch to create space for receiving or releasing hair, and the second branch is closed with respect to the second branch to close the space to fix hair. Switched to the convex configuration. [Selection] Fig. 3B

Description

  The present invention relates to a hair styling device, and more particularly to a hair styling device comprising a resilient workpiece that changes state by switching between an operating state and a ready state.

  A conventional hair clip, so-called snap clip, comprises an upper metal piece 11 and a lower metal piece 12. The upper metal piece 11 is composed of two metal pins connected to each other at one end, and is between an open (prepared) state and a closed (operating or standby) state that are in an uneven position with respect to the lower metal piece 12. It forms a bistable mechanism that can be switched. As shown in FIG. 1A, when the upper metal piece 11 is switched to the open state by making the upper metal piece 11 concave, hair can be inserted into the space between the upper metal piece 11 and the lower metal piece 12. Become. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the upper metal piece 11 is convex and the space is closed together with the lower metal piece 12, the hair is clamped inside. When the upper metal piece 11 is opened again, the hair is released.

  Since the lower metal piece 12 of such a snap clip is formed of one metal piece, the hair easily falls off. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1C, another conventional snap clip was developed to improve this unstable clamp. This snap clip comprises an upper metal piece 11 similar to that shown in FIG. 1A and an expanded lower metal piece 13. The expanded lower metal piece 13 has a cutout for weight reduction in order to minimize the gravitational effect on hair dropout. However, even so, the clamping force of the snap clip is still insufficient to stabilize the clip on the hair.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, US Pat. No. 7,373,940 discloses an upper metal piece 21, a lower metal piece 22, and a living hinge provided between the upper metal piece 21 and the lower metal piece 22. 23. Similarly to the above, the upper metal piece 21 is composed of two metal pins connected to each other at one end, and is in an open (prepared) state and a closed (operating or standby) state in which the lower metal piece 22 is in an uneven position A bistable mechanism that can switch between the two. The lower metal piece 22 is formed below the upper metal piece 21 and has an enhanced clamping force as more metal strips are involved in hair clamping. Also, since the three metal strips are separated at the open end and have a gap to each other, the hair enters the gap and interacts with the metal strip, thereby preventing relative movement of the hair with respect to the metal strip. However, such a snap clip is formed by a large workpiece folded back at the position of the living hinge 23 that positions the upper metal piece 21 and the lower metal piece 22, and thus suffers from the gravitational effect. Also, large workpieces incur high costs, and the folding operation requires further operations to check alignment accuracy. Furthermore, such snap clips suffer from gaps that occur between the upper metal piece 21 and the lower metal piece 22 as a result of folding the workpiece. Such a gap will adversely affect the clamp strength. Furthermore, the elasticity of the living hinge 23 can adversely affect the bistable switching operation.

  Therefore, it is necessary to design a hair styling device with excellent clamping performance.

  In accordance with the present invention, a hair styling device includes a base and a plurality of pins that are spaced apart from each other via a first end on a first side of the base. The base and pins are made from a single layer elastic workpiece. At least two of the plurality of pins are connected to each other via a second end opposite to the first end, thereby enabling switching between uneven arrangements according to external force. A second branch providing a mechanism, wherein at least two of the plurality of pins have a second end that is free on the opposite side of the first end and overlaps the first branch Form. The first branch is switched in a concave arrangement with respect to the second branch to create a space for receiving or releasing the hair and is closed relative to the second branch to secure the hair. Switched to a convex arrangement.

  The pins forming the second branch are all arranged between the pins forming the first branch. Alternatively, some of the pins forming the second branch are arranged between the pins forming the first branch, and the other pins forming the second branch are of the pins forming the first branch. Arranged outside.

  The shape of the pins forming the second branch is selected from a straight line, a curved line, a wave, a combination thereof, or any other suitable shape.

  In an embodiment, two adjacent pins forming the second branch each have a laterally extending structure that protrudes toward each other, and the laterally extending structure is between the first branch and the second branch. When the hair is compressed by the hair entering the space, the hair can be further deformed while maintaining the elastic force, thereby further fixing the hair in the hair styling device. Preferably, the laterally extending structure is thinner than the pins to which the laterally extending structure is connected and has a shape aligned with each other.

  In an embodiment, the hair styling device further comprises a mini post projecting from a specific surface of the pin forming the second branch and / or the first branch. Preferably, the specific surface of the pin forming the second branch is a surface facing the first branch, and the specific surface of the pin forming the first branch is a surface facing the second branch. .

  The single layer elastic workpiece for making the hair styling device according to the present invention consists of metal, plastic or paper.

  The present invention also provides a method of making the hair styling device described above. The method prepares a metal sheet, stamps the metal sheet to obtain a single layer elastic workpiece with a base and a plurality of pins, and connects at least two pins forming a first branch together. Process.

The present invention further provides a method of making the hair styling device described above. This method
Providing an injection molded plastic sheet as a single layer elastic workpiece with a base and a plurality of pins, and connecting at least two pins forming a first branch together;

  The present invention further provides a method of making the hair styling device described above. Providing a 3D printed sheet of material as a single layer elastic workpiece with a base and a plurality of pins, and connecting at least two pins forming a first branch together;

  The above description of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

The figure which shows two operation states in the conventional hair styling instrument.

The figure which shows another conventional hair styling instrument.

The figure which shows two operation states in another hair styling instrument.

The top view of the workpiece which forms the hair styling device concerning the embodiment of the present invention.

3B is a top view of a hair styling device made from the workpiece of FIG. 3A. FIG.

The side view which shows two operation states in the hair styling instrument of FIG. 3B.

The top view which shows the pin variation in the hair styling instrument which concerns on this invention.

The top view of the workpiece which forms the hair styling device concerning another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a top view of a hair styling device made from the workpiece of FIG. 5A.

The top view of the workpiece which forms the hair styling device concerning the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a top view of a hair styling device made from the workpiece of FIG. 6A.

The top view of the workpiece which forms the hair styling device concerning the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a top view of a hair styling device made from the workpiece of FIG. 7A.

The side view which shows the two operation states in the modification of the hair styling instrument of FIG. 7B.

The side view which shows two operation states in another modification of the hair styling instrument of FIG. 7B.

The top view of the workpiece which forms the hair styling device concerning the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a top view of a hair styling device made from the workpiece of FIG. 8A.

The side view which shows two operation states in the hair styling instrument of FIG. 8B.

The figure which shows the hair styling instrument which concerns on embodiment of this invention produced by injection molding.

The top view of the hair styling device which concerns on embodiment of this invention produced by injection molding.

The figure which shows the hair styling instrument which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  The invention will be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It should be noted that the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention is presented for illustration and description only. Moreover, it is neither what is exhausted nor limited by the disclosed form itself.

  3A and 3B show an embodiment of a hair styling device according to the present invention, FIG. 3A shows a workpiece, and FIG. 3B shows a hair styling device made from the workpiece of FIG. 3A. The workpiece is an elastic material sheet and is integrally formed and configured as a single layer. The “elastic” material sheet referred to here means a material sheet that can be deformed when an external force of an appropriate force is applied and can return to its original state when the external force is removed. Elastic material sheets also include sheets made of a relatively hard material that is thin enough to be elastically deformable. The workpiece includes a base 31 and four pins 301, 302, 303, 304 attached to the base 31. The ends 3010, 3040 of the pins 301, 304 are connected to each other to define the first branch 310. The structure of the first branch 310 provides a bistable mechanism that enables switching between the concavo-convex arrangements according to an external force. Pins 302, 303 extend in substantially the same direction as pins 301, 304, have free ends 3020, 3030, and define a second branch 320 that overlaps first branch 310. Generally, the second branch 320 is substantially flat and does not change state even when the hair styling device is operated in a different state. In this way, the hair styling device shown in FIG. 3B is produced. This hair styling device is used as a snap clip, for example. In this embodiment, the workpiece pins 301-304 are spaced apart from each other, and the pins 302, 303 forming the second branch 320 are between the pins 301, 304 forming the first branch 310. Has been placed. Further, the lengths of the pins 302 and 303 are shorter than the lengths of the pins 301 and 304. As a result, when the hair styling device is manufactured as shown in FIG. 3B, the second branch 320 is completely covered by the first branch 310 in the top view, while the second branch 320 is the second branch 320 in the side view. One branch 310 is in a different layer.

  The use of a hair styling device is illustrated briefly here. First, as shown in FIG. 3C, the first branch 310 is switched to the concave arrangement, and an open space 312 is formed between the second branch 320 and the first branch 310. Pins 302 and 303 are inserted into the hair and the hair is introduced from the open space 312 into the hair styling instrument. Then, as shown in FIG. 3D, the open space 312 is closed together with the second branch 320 to fix the hair by switching the first branch 310 to the convex arrangement. To release the hair, the first branch 310 is switched back to the concave configuration.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the pins 301-304 are straight and flat. In other embodiments, one or more of the pins can be individually deformed to have another shape according to practical requirements. 4A-4D show a variation of the pin according to the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the pins 302 and 303 may be curved. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the pins 302 and 303 are wavy in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the second branch 320 and / or a conformal direction with respect to the plane of the second branch 320. This embodiment is advantageous for increasing the frictional force with the clamped hair, thereby enhancing the clamping capability. Referring to FIGS. 4C and 4D, laterally extending structures 321 are provided on one or both sides of the pin to further stabilize the hair styling device in the hair. Such a laterally extending structure 321 is advantageous for increasing the contact area with the hair. Here, the term “side” extension structure means a structure extending from the pins 302 and 303 in a substantially conformal direction with respect to the surface of the second branch 320. The lateral extension structure 321 may extend slightly upward or downward with respect to the surface of the second branch 320 as long as it can perform its function. Preferably, the lateral extension structure 321 is thinner than the pin to which each is connected. The thin and resilient properties of the laterally extending structure 321 provide the hair styling device with an elastically deformable property to further secure the clamped hair.

  5A and 5B show an embodiment of a hair styling device according to the present invention, FIG. 5A shows a workpiece, and FIG. 5B shows a hair styling device made from the workpiece of FIG. 5A. The workpiece is an elastic material sheet and is integrally formed and configured as a single layer. The workpiece includes a base 51 and six pins 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506 attached to the base 51. The ends 5020, 5050 of the pins 502, 505 are connected to each other to define the first branch 510. The structure of the first branch 510 provides a bistable mechanism that enables switching between the concavo-convex arrangements in response to an external force. The pins 501, 503, 504, 506 extend in substantially the same direction as the pins 502, 505 and have free ends 5010, 5030, 5040, 5060, and a second branch 520 that overlaps the first branch 510. Is specified. Generally, the second branch 520 is substantially flat and does not change state even when the hair styling device is operated in a different state. In this way, the hair styling device shown in FIG. 5B is produced. For example, the hair styling device is used as a snap clip. In this embodiment, the workpiece pins 501-506 are spaced apart from each other, and the pins 503, 504 forming the second branch 520 are between the pins 502, 505 forming the first branch 510. The pins 501 and 506 that are arranged and form the second branch 520 are arranged outside the pins 502 and 506 that form the first branch 510. Further, the lengths of the pins 503 and 504 are shorter than the lengths of the pins 502 and 505, while the lengths of the pins 501 and 506 are longer than the lengths of the pins 502 and 505. As a result, when the hair styling device is manufactured as shown in FIG. 5B, the second branch 520 is partially disposed inside and outside the first branch 510 in the top view, and the second branch in the side view. 520 is in a different layer than the first branch 510. It should be noted that in each of the embodiments described here, before and after here, the number and length of the pins forming the second branch 520 can be appropriately changed according to practical requirements. Should. By simultaneously inserting the four pins 501, 503, 504, 506 into the hair, the hair styling device is used in a more stable manner. Further, for the purpose of enhancing the function and / or modification, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, various changes may be made to the pins.

  6A and 6B show an embodiment of a hair styling device according to the present invention, FIG. 6A shows a workpiece, and FIG. 6B shows a hair styling device made from the workpiece of FIG. 6A. The workpiece is an elastic material sheet and is integrally formed and configured as a single layer. The workpiece includes a base 61 and nine pins 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609 attached to the base 61. The ends 6030 and 6070 of the pins 603 and 607 are connected to each other to define the first branch 610. The structure of the first branch 610 provides a bistable mechanism that allows switching between the concavo-convex arrangements in response to external forces. Pins 601, 602, 604, 605, 606, 608, 609 extend substantially in the same direction as pins 603, 607 and have free ends 6010, 6020, 6040, 6050, 6060, 6080, 6090, A second branch 620 that overlaps one branch 610 is defined. Generally, the second branch 620 is substantially flat and does not change state even when the hair styling device is operated in a different state. In this way, the hair styling device shown in FIG. 6B is produced. This hair styling device is used as a snap clip, for example. In this embodiment, the workpiece pins 601-609 are spaced apart from each other and the pins 604, 605, 606 forming the second branch 620 are the pins 603, 607 forming the first branch 610. The pins 601, 602, 608, 609 that are disposed between and form the second branch 620 are disposed outside the pins 603, 607 that form the first branch 610. As a result, when the hair styling device is manufactured as shown in FIG. 6B, the second branch 620 is partially disposed inside and outside the first branch 610 in the top view, and the second branch in the side view. 620 is in a different layer than the first branch 610. By simultaneously inserting the seven pins 601, 602, 604, 605, 606, 608, 609 into the hair, the hair styling instrument is used in a more stable manner and functions like a comb clip. Further, for the purpose of enhancing the function and / or modification, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, various changes may be made to the pins. The hair styling device of this embodiment further includes a side extension structure 621. A side extension structure 621 extending from a pair of adjacent pins extends toward a gap between the adjacent pins. The lateral extension structures 621 are thinner than the pins to which they are connected and have shapes that are aligned with each other. The laterally extending structure 621 can be deformed while maintaining elastic force when compressed by the hair that has entered the space between the first branch 610 and the second branch 620, thereby allowing the hair styling device To further fix the hair.

  7A and 7B show an embodiment of a hair styling device according to the present invention, FIG. 7A shows a workpiece, and FIG. 7B shows a hair styling device made from the workpiece of FIG. 7A. The workpiece is an elastic material sheet and is integrally formed and configured as a single layer. The workpiece includes a base 71 and seven pins 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, and 707 attached to the base 71. The ends 7020, 7060 of the pins 702, 706 are connected to each other to define the first branch 710. The structure of the first branch 710 provides a bistable mechanism that allows switching between the concavo-convex arrangements in response to external forces. Pins 701, 703, 704, 705, 707 extend in substantially the same direction as pins 702, 706 and have free ends 7010, 7030, 7040, 7050, 7070, and overlap with the first branch 710. Two branches 720 are defined. In this embodiment, the ends 7030, 7050 of the pins 703, 705 are connected to each other as composite pins of the second branch 720 and can be considered as having one free end together. This composite pin structure provides a bistable mechanism that allows switching between the concavo-convex arrangements in response to external forces. In this way, the hair styling device shown in FIG. 7B is produced. This hair styling device is used as a snap clip, for example. In this embodiment, the workpiece pins 701-707 are spaced apart from each other, and the pins 703, 704, 705 forming the second branch 720 are the pins 702, 706 forming the first branch 710. The pins 701 and 707 that are arranged between them and form the second branch 720 are arranged outside the pins 702 and 706 that form the first branch 710. As a result, when the hair styling device is manufactured as shown in FIG. 7B, the second branch 720 is partially disposed inside and outside the first branch 710 in the top view, and the second branch in the side view. 720 is in a different layer than the first branch 710. Further, the composite pin further overlaps with other portions of the second branch 720. In use, first, the pins 701, 704, 707 of the second branch 720 are inserted into the hair. Then, the pins 703 and 705 are switched to the convex arrangement and closed, and the hair is clamped together with the pins 701, 704 and 707. Thereafter, hair is further put into the open space between the pins 702, 706 forming the first branch 710 and the pins 701, 703, 704, 705, 707 forming the second branch 720, and this open space is More hair is fixed by switching the first branch 710 to a convex arrangement for closure.

  The overall configuration of the hair styling device can vary depending on the length distribution of the pins 703, 704, 705. The pins 702, 706 forming the first branch 710 are composite pins of the second branch 720, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, which represent an open state (eg, a ready state) and a closed state (eg, an operational state). Longer than the pins 703, 705 forming the other portions, and longer than the pins 701, 704, 707 forming the other portions of the second branch 720. Alternatively, the pins 702, 706 forming the first branch 710 are connected to the second branch 720 as shown in FIGS. 7E and 7F, which represent an open state (eg, a ready state) and a closed state (eg, an operational state). It is shorter than the pins 703 and 705 forming the composite pin, and further shorter than the pins 701, 704 and 707 forming the other part of the second branch 720. It should be noted that the number and position of pins configured as composite pins in the second branch 720 can vary according to practical requirements, and the number and position of composite pins can also vary according to practical requirements.

  8A and 8B show an embodiment of a hair styling device according to the present invention, FIG. 8A shows a workpiece, and FIG. 8B shows a hair styling device made from the workpiece of FIG. 8A. 3A and 3B, except that the work piece and the hair styling device obtained from the work piece are provided with mini posts (eg, teeth and bumps) that form an auxiliary structure 370 on the surface of the selected pin. Is similar. In this embodiment, the mini post protrudes from the side surface of the pin, and the auxiliary structure 370 is formed integrally with the workpiece. Of course, the mini post may be attached by other methods such as gluing. Bending the work piece mini-post towards the space in which the hair is housed yields a hair styling device having the structure shown in FIG. 8B and switchable between the two states shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D. The auxiliary structure 370 is effective to hold the hair. It will be appreciated that any of the above-described embodiments of hair styling devices may be provided with an auxiliary structure 370 and need not be described in detail.

  The workpiece used in the above embodiment according to the present invention and other embodiments modified from the embodiment may be formed of any appropriate elastic material, and may be manufactured by various methods. Examples of the material include metal, plastic, paper, bamboo, and a relatively hard material having a small thickness. If metal is used, to form a hair styling device after stamping the metal sheet into a single-layer workpiece with a base, multiple pins, optional laterally extending structures and / or auxiliary structures Connect pins to each other. Also, single layer workpieces with a base, multiple pins, optional laterally extending structures and / or auxiliary structures can be used with other techniques such as plastic injection molding or three-dimensional (3D) printing of suitable materials. It may be produced. In particular, injection molding or three-dimensional (3D) printing is better than stamping when the size of the pin, the gap between the pins, the extension structure from the pin, and / or the auxiliary structure is small. For example, when making a hair styling instrument as shown in FIG. 9, other parts of the work piece may be used to make a work piece that includes a base 91, a first branch 910, a second branch 920, and an auxiliary structure 970. And the mini post 970 can be integrally formed (that is, manufactured directly), and therefore, it is preferable to use injection molding.

  As long as the principles and objectives of the present invention are achieved, the shapes, sizes and arrangements illustrated in the different embodiments can be modified and combined with each other according to practical requirements. For example, the hair styling device shown in FIG. 10 has various characteristics of the above embodiment.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is similar to that shown in FIG. 3B, except that an auxiliary structure 350 is provided. The auxiliary structure 350 has three pins 311, 312, 313 extending from one side of the base 31 on the side opposite to the pins 301-304. The pins 311, 312, and 313 are formed integrally with a single-layer workpiece defined by the base 31 and the pins 301 to 304, and are arranged below the second branch 320 by bending the workpiece at the base 31. . In use, after the auxiliary structure 350 and the second branch 320 in different layers are inserted into the hair, the first branch 310 is brought into a convex arrangement to clamp the hair together with the second branch 320 and the auxiliary structure 350. Switch. Since the hair is clamped in two layers inside the hair styling device, a higher clamping performance can be realized especially for thick hair. The pins of the auxiliary structure 350 may overlap with the pins of the second branch 320 or may be alternately arranged. Overlapping configurations facilitate physical clamping between pins, while alternate configurations provide anti-slide capabilities.

  As can be seen from the above description, the hair styling device according to the present invention is cost-effective to use, easy to handle, light and stable.

While the present invention has been described as considered the most practical and preferred embodiment at the present time, it should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the disclosed embodiment. Various modifications and similar arrangements should also be included in the spirit and scope of the most widely interpreted appended claims.

Claims (11)

Base and
A plurality of pins attached to the first side surface of the base at a distance from each other via a first end;
The base and pins are made from a single layer elastic workpiece;
At least two of the plurality of pins are connected to each other via a second end opposite to the first end, thereby enabling switching between the concave and convex arrangements according to an external force. Forming a first branch providing a bistable mechanism, wherein at least two of the plurality of pins have a second end that is free on the opposite side of the first end; Forming a second branch overlapping the first branch;
The first branch is switched in a concave arrangement with respect to the second branch to create a space for receiving or releasing hair, and the second branch is closed to close the space to secure the hair. A hair styling device that is switched to a convex arrangement.   Two adjacent pins forming the second branch each have a laterally extending structure protruding toward each other, and the laterally extending structure is provided between the first branch and the second branch. The hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein the hair is further fixed by being deformable while maintaining an elastic force when compressed by the hair entering the space.   The hair styling device according to claim 2, wherein the laterally extending structure is thinner than the pin to which the laterally extending structure is connected and has a shape aligned with each other.   The hair styling device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the laterally extending structure is formed from the single-layer elastic workpiece together with the base and a plurality of pins.   The hair styling according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a mini post protruding from a specific surface of the pin forming the second branch and / or the first branch. Instruments.   The apparatus further comprises an auxiliary structure attached to a second side surface opposite to the first side surface of the base and disposed on the second branch side opposite to the first branch. The hair styling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The single-layer elastic workpiece is made of metal, plastic or paper, and / or the shape of the pins forming the second branch is selected from linear, curved, corrugated and combinations thereof The hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein the hair styling device is a hair styling device.   At least one of the pins forming the second branch is formed by connecting two of the plurality of pins to each other via a second end opposite to the first end. The hair styling device according to claim 1, wherein the hair styling device is a composite pin that provides a bistable mechanism that enables switching between uneven arrangements according to external force. A method of making a hair styling device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Prepare a metal sheet,
Stamping the metal sheet to obtain a single layer elastic workpiece comprising the base and a plurality of pins;
Connecting at least two pins forming the first branch to each other. A method of making a hair styling device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Preparing an injection molded plastic sheet as a single layer elastic workpiece with the base and a plurality of pins;
Connecting at least two pins forming the first branch to each other. A method of making a hair styling device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Preparing a 3D printed material sheet as a single layer elastic workpiece with the base and a plurality of pins;
Connecting at least two pins forming the first branch to each other.

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